FED: Seven national servicemen honoured with medal
SYDNEY, Feb 10 AAP - The families of seven national servicemen killed during the VietnamWar received medals of honour from the Australian government at a ceremony in Sydney today.
Minister assisting the Defence Minister, Danna Vale, today presented the first Anniversaryof National Service 1951-1972 Medals to the servicemen's next of kin at a ceremony inSydney's Martin Place.
Ms Vale said the presentation marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of post-WorldWar II conscription in Australia.
She said they were a symbol of the nation's gratitude for the contribution of the servicemen.
"This commemorative medal is a physical reminder of their efforts, and an importantsymbol that the people of Australia are extremely grateful for the service and sacrificeof our national servicemen," Ms Vale said.
She said national servicemen, or Nashos as they became known, were conscripted fromall walks of life into military service during the 50s, 60s and 70s.
"Of the more than 300,000 National Servicemen who served in the Army, Navy and AirForce during this time, 187 paid the ultimate sacrifice, and some 1,500 were wounded duringtheir service."
She said conscription was not universally approved in Australia - despite significantsocial tension, national servicemen proudly served their country through some very difficulttimes in our domestic and international environments.
Altogether, 325,811 national servicemen served in the three services.
Between 1951 and 1959, more than 227,000 young Australians undertook a period of full-timeand part-time service under the national service scheme.
From January 1965 until December 1972, a further 63,000 national servicemen gave between18 months and two years of full-time service.
In addition, more than 30,000 Australians elected to complete their national serviceobligation as members of the Citizens Military Forces under the 1965-1972 national servicescheme.
AAP ld/cjh/sb
KEYWORD: MEDALS NSW
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